Railway crossing or like track structure



. E. W. CARUTHERS RAILWAY CROSSING 0 LIKE TRACK STRUCTURE Dec. '17,1935.

Filed Nov. 7, 1935 TOR: Eu (ma WCaruZhers,

- ATTORNEYS.

2 Sheets-Sheet l INVEN Doc. 17, 1935. E. w. CARUTHERS 2,024,566

RAILWAY CROSSING OR LIKE TRACK STRUCTURE Filed Nov. 7, 1955 f 2Sheets-Sheet 2 FIQI. l2 Z 16 JAE ' WITNESSES.-

A TTORNEYS.

' I R: M7. 6 5h lgzjzyeflne ara ers Patented Dec. 17, 1935 STRU CTUREEugene W. Caruthers, Secane, Pa.

Application November 7, 1933, Serial No. 696,995

12, Claims.

This invention relates to crossings, frogs, or other like trackstructures used at-railintersections, and is applicableto both the solidone piece type of structure and to the composite type wherein rolledrails and steel alloyinserts are fitted together.

Heretofore for special track structures of this nature it has beencustomary to employ bodies of manganese steel or other steel alloy, anddifd-' 10 culties have been experienced in properly. heat treating suchbodies to obtain the desired hailness and uniform wear resistingproperties. The foundry problem has been to produce .a body 7 havingwalls which are thirienough and of sub- 15 stantially uniform section sothat incident to heat treatment the entire body may be uniformly andeffectively cooled by the quenching medium, and at the same time toproduce a structure having sufiicient strength to withstand the severeshocks 20 placed upon it by passing wheel loads.

The object of the present invention is to overi come the aforementioneddifficulties, and this end I have accomplished by the provision of atrack structure which, departing from the customary 25 practice,utilizes for its main support vertical columns placed beneath the pointsof application of the wheel loads, such columns serving in eifect. ascontinuations of the webs 'of' the adjoining running rails. The trackstructure of this invention is, in some instances, furthercharacterizedby railbound side edgesformed to fit the with the interior of the metalbody form passages for the free circulation of a quenching me- 35 diumthroughout the interior of the body.

Other objects and advantages characterizing my present invention willbecome more fully apparent from the description hereinafter set forth ofone embodiment or example thereof, having 40 reference to theaccompanying drawings. Of the drawings: v

Fig. I represents part of, a rail crossing including a special trackstructure of my invention.

.. Fig. II represents an enlarged cross-section of 45 the same, taken asindicated by the lines II-II of Fi 1.

Fig. III represents an enlarged cross-section of the same, taken asindicated by the lines III-III of Fig. I.

50 Fig. IV represents an enlarged cross-section of the same, taken asindicated by the lines IV-IV of Fig. I.

Fig. V represents an enlarged vertical cross: section of the centralinsert, taken as indicated 55 by the lines v--v of Fig. I; and,

Fig. VI represents a horizontal cross-section of the central insert,taken as indicated by the lines -VI-'-VI of Fig. V.

With particular reference to Fig. I, there is shown a composite crossing-frog of my invention 5 comprising generally a central metal insert Ijoined to running rails 2, 3, 4 and 5, and guard rails 6, I. Preferablythe metal insert I is constructed of manganese steel or like steel alloyand has at each end thereof a pair of diverging arms, one such pairbeing designated at 8 and .the other such pair being designated at 9. In

the particular example shown, certain of the running rails, namely thosedesignated at 4 and 5 terminate abruptly at their juncture with themetal insert I, whereas other running rails, those designated at 2 and 3are bent around the sides of the insert I and terminate in projectingends In, I I which serve as guards for the running rails 4, 5,respectively. i

. The metal insert I is made of one piece, and as clearly shown in thecross sectional views representedin Figs. 11 to V, is of hollow box-likeconstruction. The head portion I2 has thereon intersecting flangewaysI3, I4 and adjacent to the flange-ways I3, I4" there are tread surfacesI5, I6, respectively, the tread surfaces I5, I6 forming continuations ofthe tread surfaces of the adjoining running rails 2, 3', 4 and 5.Beneath the gage sides of the tread surfaces I5, I6 of the insert Y I,there are provided intersecting vertical colrails but having openingstherein which together umns I3 which join the head portion I2 to thebase portion 20 and afford the mainsupport for the insert. Thedisposition of the intersecting vertical columns I8 is clearly shown inFig. VI, and it will be seen that these columns form in effectcontinuations of the webs of the adjoining running rails 2, 3, 4 and 5,and serve to support the head portion I2 of the insert substantially atthe points of application of passing wheel loads.

The side edges of the head'and base of the inserts I, as most clearlyshown in Fig. II, are

' formed to a shape complementary to the adjacent rails and are fittedthereto with the parts joined together by one or more through bolts 22.At the sides of the insert I, openings 23 are provided. Such openings 23may vary in number and size; and depending upon the angle ofintersection, one or more struts 24 may be utilized to give additionalsupport to the head portion I2 at its side edges. The openings 23 formwith the interior I of the metal body I unobstructed passages for the 7free flow of a quenching medium used during the process of heattreatment. Like openings 25 are providedat each end of the metal insertI, and 5 these openings 25, together with additional openings 26 formedin the base portion 20 of the insert l, and the bolt-hole openings 29,form passages which permit the quenching medium to flow freely throughall portions of the metal body.

In the particular example illustrated, the diverging arms 8, 9 of themetal insert l are fitted to the adjoining running rails and guard railsin the manner shown in Figs. III and IV; At these points the runningrails and guard rails are spaced apart by flangeway fillers 21 and arejoined together by bolts 28. Desirably lock washers 30 and head lockwasher plates 3| are associated with the bolts 2I'and with the centralbody bolts 22. r

Asshown in Figs. V and VI, the intersecting verticalcolumns I8 areprovided withbolt holes 29, through which the bolts 22 pass, and suchbolt'holes aid considerably in the circulation of the quenching mediumthrough the interior of the body I without materially lessening thestrength of the colunms.

From theabove description it will be appa ent that the metal insert l ofthis invention is assembled rigidly with'the adjoining rails and isgivenextra strength at the regionsCwhere such 4 strength is particularlydesired by the provision of the vertical columns I! which are disposedsubstantially beneath the tread surfaces I5, l6 and in approximatealignment therewith. The columns i8 extend completely across the insertand abut against the running rails. Moreove while the metal insert l isthus amply rigid and adequately supported at the critical regionsthereof, the head portion of the insert is desirably of relatively thincross section and of substantially uniform thickness throughout. It willbe observed that the formation of the inserts as described provides inthe interior thereof a number of passages which are unobstructed toallow a quenching medium to pass freely. through the body with a uniformcooling effect upon the exposed surfaces. There are no cavities or deadspaces on which such circulation is retarded.

Accordingly, the track structure of my invention combines the qualitiesof strength and economy in method of manufacture, as well as satisfyingthe conditions necessary for the heat treatment of the metal body toobtain the desired shock and wear resisting properties.

While I have described my invention with respect .to one embodiment orexample thereof ap plied to a particular form of track structure, itwill be apparent that the invention is applicable to many differenttypes of track structures and that changes in the form of the structuremay be made without departing from the spirit of the invention asdefined in the nexed claims. More particularly, it will be apparent thatthe invention may be applied to both solid and built-up types of specialtrack structures, and that the disposition and form of thesupportingvertioal columns and the number, size and location of theopenings leading to the interior of the body will vary according to thetype of structure desired and the angle of intersection of the rails.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: 1. Ina railway crossing orlike track structure, a metal bodyhavlng a head portion with treadsurfaces and crossing flangeways thereon, a base portion, and crossingvertical columns joining said head and base portions beneath the gagesides of the tread surfaces, said metal body havmg 'side edges of ashape complementary to a rail section and having openings at the sidesforming with the interior of the body circulatory passages to permit thefree flow of a quenching medium throughout the central portion of thebody.

2. In a railway crossing or like track structure, 5 a metal body havinga head portion with tread surfaces and crossing flangeways thereon, abase portion, and perforated vertical crossing columns joining said headand base portions beneath the gage sides of the tread surfaces, saidmetal body 10 having openings at the sides thereof forming with theinterior of the body and with the perforations in the vertical columnscirculatory pasways at the head portion thereof, and vertical 20crossing columns beneath the gage Tides of said tread surfaces, andcoextensive therewith, and having openings at the sides adjacent to therails.

4. A railway crossing or like track structure of the composite typecomprising rails and a hollow metal insert joined thereto, said inserthaving aligned tread surfaces and crossing flangeways at the headportion thereof and having its head and base portions joined by crossingvertical columns disposed beneath the wheel contacting portions of thetread surfaces, and said insert having openings at the sides adjacent tothe rails} serving as passages for a quenching medium when the insert isheat treated.

5. A railway crossing or like track structure of the compositetypecomprising rails and a hollow metal insert Joined thereto, saidinsert having aligned tread surfaces and crossing flangeways at the headportion thereof and having 40 vertical, crossing columns directlybeneath and in substantiahalignment with the wheel contacting portionsof said tread surfaces, and said insert having side edges conforming tothe-con.-

.-tour of the adjacent rails with openings at the tions of the treadsurfaces, and said insert having side edges conforming to the contour ofthe adjacent rails and having a plurality of openings at the sidesthereof serving as passages for a quenching medium leading to thecentral portion of said insert, and the ends and base'portion of saidinsert having additional such openings.

'7. A railway crossing or like track structure of the composite typecomprising rails and a hollow metal insert joined thereto, said inserthaving intersecting tread surfaces and flangeways at the head portionthereof and having openings at the sides and ends thereof, andintersecting vertical columns extending beneath the fiangeways neartheir point of intersection and joining the head and base portions ofthe insert beneath the gage sides of the tread surfaces, said columnsbeing coextensive with said tread surfaces and forming substantiallycontinuations of the webs of the running rails.

8. A railway crossing or like track structure s,oa4,see

openings forming with the interior of the body of the composite typecomprising rails and a metal insert bolted thereto, said insert havingintersecting tread-surfaces at the head portion thereof, and havingintersecting vertical columns extending beneath said tread surfaces andperforated with bolt holes in the central portion of the insert, andhaving openings at the sides a metal body having a head portion withaligned tread surfaces and crossing flangeways adjacent to said treadsurfaces, a base portion, and crossing vertical columns joining saidhead and base portions beneath the gage sides of the tread surfaces andcoextensive therewith, said metal body having a series of openingsforming with the interior of the body circulatory passages permittingthe free flow of a quenching medium throughout the central portion ofthe body.

10. In a railway crossing or like track structure, a'metal body havingahead portion with aligned tread surfaces and crossing flangewaysadjacent to said tread surfaces, a base portion. and crossing verticalcolumns Joining said head and base portions beneath the gage sides ofthe tread surfaces and coextensive therewith, said metal body havingopenings at the ends and in the base portion near the ends, and having aplurality of openings at each side, the aforesaid circulatory passagespermitting the free flow of a quenching medium throughout the centraland end portions of thevbody.

11. In a railway crossing or like track strucd ture, a metal body havinga head portion with aligned tread surfaces and crossing flangewaysadjacent thereto, a base portion, and crossing vertical columns joiningsaid head and base portions beneath the gage sides of the tread sur- 10faces, said columns extending beneath the flangeways near their point ofintersection, and said metal body having a series of openings formingwith the interior thereof passages permitting the free flow of aquenching medium through the body.

12. In a railway crossing or like track structure, a metal body having ahead portion with aligned tread surfaces and crossing fiangewaysadjacent to said tread surfaces, a base portion,

and crossing vertical columns joining said head and base portionsbeneath the gage sides of the tread surfaces and coextensive therewith,said metal body having a series of openings forming with the interior ofthe body circulatory passages permitting the free flow of a quenchingmedium throughout the central portion of the body, said of whichare'disposed adjacent to the intersection.

EUGENE W. CARUTHERS.

